Stock Market & Financial Investment News

Ford to license patented inflatable safety belt technologyFord is offering its patented inflatable safety belt technology to other companies and industries, including competitive automotive manufacturers. The availability of licenses may lead to the wider adoption of inflatable safety belts as other automakers seek to enhance passenger safety. The technology is potentially applicable to other forms of seated-passenger transportation, including military use, and airborne passengers traveling by helicopter or airplane, and even for water travel. The inflatable safety belt is currently available on Ford Explorer, Flex, Fusion and the upcoming 2015 F-150, as well as Lincoln MKT and MKZ for outboard second-row seating positions.

Earnings Watch: Ford shares down approximately 9% since Q1 reportFord Motor Co. (F) is expected to report second quarter earnings on Tuesday, July 28, before the market open with a conference call scheduled for 9:00 am ET. Ford is a manufacturer and distributor of cars and trucks across six continents. EXPECTATIONS: Analysts are looking for earnings per share of 37c on revenue of $35.34B, according to First Call. The consensus range for EPS is 26c-43c on revenue of $33.41B-$37.32B. LAST QUARTER: Ford reported first quarter adjusted EPS of 23c against estimates for 26c, on automotive revenue of $31.8B against estimates for $33.9B. Ford reported Q1 wholesales of 1.568M. It raised its FY15 North American pre-tax operating margin view to 8.5%-9.5% from 8%-9%, and reconfirmed its 2015 pre-tax profit guidance of $8.5B-$9.5B. Ford said it expects North America to have a very strong year in 2015, with substantial top-line growth, higher pre-tax profit, and an improved operating margin. Ford sees 2015 U.S. industry volume of 17M-17.5M vehicles, Europe 20 industry volume of 15.2M-15.7M vehicles, and China industry volume of 24M-26M, compared to the previous view for Europe 20 of 14.8M-15.3M and China of 24.5M-26.5M. On its Q1 conference call, Ford said it sees 2015 as a "breakthrough year" for the company. It sees results growing "progressively stronger" as new products continue to build momentum. It said it saw strong top-line growth in 2015, and expected to improve global market share. Results in the second half of 2015 were expected to be stronger than the first half due to product timing, and capacity launches. During the quarter, Ford reported the following: April U.S. sales up 5% to 222,498 vehicles; May U.S. sales down 1% to 250,813 units; and June U.S. sales up 1.6% to 225,647 units. STREET RESEARCH: Street research has been positive in the weeks leading up to Ford's Q2 earnings report. On June 23, Goldman upgraded Ford to Buy from Neutral. Goldman Sachs analyst Patrick Archambault shifted his preference in automakers, upgrading Ford to Buy from Neutral and downgrading General Motors (GM) to Neutral from Buy in a note to investors. The analyst cited a superior growth outlook at Ford, Ford's improving positioning in China, and rising truck incentives from GM. Archambault viewed Ford as less vulnerable to the slowing growth in the Chinese market. The analyst raised his price target on Ford to $19 from $18, and lowered his price target on GM to $40 from $47, but noted that the new target still has 11% upside. On June 10, UBS said the underperformance in Ford shares has made it an attractive time to buy the stock, as the firm believed the company should have a strong second half of the year. The firm cited the successful F-150 launch, with demand exceeding supply, as well as China sales and the company's restructuring efforts. UBS reiterated its Buy rating and $19 price target on Ford shares. PRICE ACTION: Ford's shares are down approximately 9% since its Q1 report and have lost about 18% year-over-year. In afternoon trading ahead of Tuesday's Q2 report, Ford is up fractionally.

Citi sees 'plenty of reasons' to buy General MotorsCiti analyst Itay Michaeli sees "plenty of reasons" to buy shares of General Motors (GM) ahead the Q2 results and reiterates a Buy rating on the name. Strong results e could serve as a turning point for investor sentiment, Michaeli tells investors in a research note. He continues to expect GM shares will trade at a premium to Ford (F) by the end of 2015. The analyst reiterates a Buy rating on the stock with a $50 price target.

UAW concerned over auto production moving to Mexico, NYT saysThe greatest concern for the United Automobile Workers, or UAW, union as it enters discussions on new contracts with Detroit auto makers Fiat Chrysler (FCAU), Ford (F), and General Motors (GM) is losing vehicle production to lower-wage countries such as Mexico, the New York Times reports. Union president Dennis Williams was upset over comments last week that suggested that Ford was considering sending work to Mexico in an effort to cut costs, the report says. "I will save my comments on Ford for when we open up negotiations,” Mr. Williams said. “But it is always concerning to me when any company invests outside the United States.” Reference Link

Ford recalling 8,000 vehicles in North America for issue with parking brakeFord said it is issuing a safety compliance recall for approximately 8,000 vehicles in North America, including certain 2015-2016 Ford Explorer, and certain 2015 Taurus and Flex, as well as Lincoln MKS and MKT vehicles for an issue with the parking brake. In these vehicles, the parking brake might not engage fully, which is a compliance issue with FMVSS 135 regarding brake systems. Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this issue. Affected vehicles include certain 2015-2016 Ford Explorer vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant, May 4, 2015 through May 23, 2015; certain 2015 Ford Taurus vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant, May 4, 2015 through May 23, 2015; certain 2015 Ford Flex vehicles built at Oakville Assembly Plant, May 4, 2015 through May 23, 2015; certain 2015 Lincoln MKS vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant, May 4, 2015 through May 23, 2015; and certain Lincoln MKT vehicles built at Oakville Assembly Plant, May 4, 2015 through May 21, 2015. There are 7,165 vehicles in the United States and federalized territories, 799 in Canada and one in Mexico.

After Jeep hacked, analyst predicts cybersecurity boosts for Harman, DelphiAfter Jeep hacked, analyst predicts cybersecurity boosts for Harman, Delphi The shares of Harman (HAR) and Delphi Automotive (DLPH) are rising after Wells Fargo predicted that the companies would benefit from the increasing need to protect cars from cybersecurity attacks after Wired reported on hackers discovering methods that can be used to take control of vehicles. BACKGROUND: Two computer hacking researchers showed that they could seize control of a Jeep Cherokee, made by Fiat Chrysler (FCAU), using a technique called a zero-day exploit, Wired reported today. Using the same technique, the hackers can control "any of thousands of vehicles," the website reported. In the past, they have demonstrated how they were able to take control of a Ford (F) Escape and Toyota (TM) Prius, according to Wired. The hackers' technique involves taking control of vehicles' entertainment systems and sending commands to the vehicles' dashboard functions, steering, brakes, and transmission through their those systems, the website stated. ANALYST REACTION: In a note to investors today, Wells Fargo analyst David Lim responded to Wired's article by saying that cybersecurity has become a significant concern for automakers. Automotive technology suppliers such as Harman (HAR) and Delphi (DLPH) should benefit from auto makers' efforts to protect their vehicles from cyberattacks, Kwas believes. He reiterated Outperform ratings on Harman and Delphi. PRICE ACTION: In morning trading, Harman climbed about 2% to $108 and Delphi rose fractionally to $78.15. This version of the story replaces an earlier one to correct the lead analyst to David Lim.

Jeep Cherokee can be hacked via entertainment system, Wired reportsHackers Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek demonstrated to Wired how Jeep Cherokees can be hacked via the vehicle’s entertainment system, giving an attacker wireless control of the automobile and its systems. Miller and Valasek previously demonstrated hacks they were able to perpetrate against Ford (F) Escape and Toyota (TM) Prius vehicles, the report noted. Other publicly traded automakers include General Motors (GM), Honda (HMC), Nissan (NSANY) and Volkswagen (VLKAY). Reference Link

HERE offering free HD map data for automated vehicle testsHERE, a Nokia (NOK) company, announced it is making high-definition mapping data of sections of public roads in four countries available to all automotive companies to support their highly automated vehicle initiatives. HERE is offering HD mapping data of specific stretches of open road in Silicon Valley and Michigan in the United States, as well as in France and Germany, to all carmakers and automotive suppliers for test purposes. HERE plans to offer data for Japan too later this year. HERE is currently working with more than 10 "leading automotive companies" on automated driving projects, the company said. Publicly traded automakers include Fiat Chrysler (FCAU), Ford (F), General Motors (GM), Honda (HMC), Nissan (NSANY), Toyota (TM) and Volkswagen (VLKAY).